Radio Sandwell Local News

Brothel-running Birmingham PC admits more crimes

Police colleagues became suspicious about Osman Iqbal's wealth when he arrived at work in a Ferrari sports car

A former police officer jailed for running a brothel and laundering money has admitted three further offences.

Osman Iqbal, who served with West Midlands Police, was sentenced to seven years in September but ongoing legal proceedings meant the case could not be reported at the time.

Iqbal, of Ward End Road, Birmingham, admitted misconduct in public office.

The 37-year-old had attempted to get unauthorised access to police intelligence systems for a friend.

Iqbal was asked by Nahiem Ajmal, a Birmingham religious leader, to get information from police computer systems on behalf of Sajad Khan, West Midlands Police said.

Ajmal and Khan were both found guilty of misconduct in public office.

West Midlands Police's counter corruption unit began investigating Iqbal when colleagues became suspicious of his apparent wealth when he arrived at work in a Ferrari.

They discovered Iqbal had bank accounts for two non-existent businesses which were being used to launder "hundreds of thousands of pounds" from brothels in the Covent Garden and Marylebone areas of London.

'Greed was his downfall'

In September, Iqbal, four other men and a woman were jailed for conspiracy to run a brothel, conspiracy to launder money and possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

During investigations into those crimes, detectives discovered Iqbal's attempts to access the police intelligence systems.

Iqbal had served as an officer in Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Ch Insp Martin Brennan, from the serious and organised crime unit, said: "Their greed was their downfall and when they were seen driving around in their supercars it didn't take us long to piece together exactly what they were up to and take action."

Insp Tracey McGrath added: "Occasionally there are people who disgracefully betray the public and even their own colleagues by exploiting their status for their own gain.

"Let me reassure people, that my counter corruption team are on to people like Iqbal and there's nowhere for them to hide.

"In this case we'll be looking to seize all the assets Iqbal acquired as a result of his criminal activity and his police pension too."

Ajmal, 35, from Bucklands Lane in Hodge Hill, and Khan, also 35, from Lodge Road in Hockley, are due to be sentenced along with Iqbal for misconduct in public office on 9 February.